South Gibson’s Cade Beaver (5) runs up the field against Crockett County during a Region 7-4A high school football game at South Gibson on Oct. 17, 2025.

“Why are you reading the ‘Encyclopedia of Magic’ this morning,” Victor Parkins asked as he walked in the office Monday morning.

“Do you believe in magic?” I replied reading through the text. “Like can something have a special power?”

“I don’t know if I believe in all of that,” Parkins laughed.

“Well, I didn’t think I did either, but I think there is a magical pom-pom in Medina,” I said.

“What in the world are you talking about?” Parkins said with a loud laugh.

“Michelle Beaver, mother of senior Cade Beaver, has this orange pom-pom, and the Hornets can’t seem to lose when she has it,” I replied. “It was even at the District 13-AA girls soccer semifinal that the Lady Hornets won.”

“I think you are crazy, but I think I see MawMaw (Norma Austin) walking up the sidewalk mad that you picked against her Hornets,” Parkins said as I ducked under my desk.

Well, the magical pom-pom didn’t help my picks this week as I went 10-5, and Parkins gained a one-game on me as he went 11-4. Our different pick was South Gibson’s win over Crockett County. We also both missed Humboldt’s win over Lake County in the county.

I am 35-6 (.854 winning percentage) with my Gibson County area picks, while Parkins is 34-7 (.829) in the county.

Outside of the county, we both missed South Fulton’s win over Obion County and Giles County’s win over North Side.

After nine weeks of the season, Parkins leads with a 102-30 (.773) record, while I am one game behind at 101-31 (.765).

Here is hoping for a little more magic with my Week 10 picks:0

South Gibson (5-3, 4-1 7-4A) at North Side (5-3, 3-2)

If the Hornets win this one, they will be the Region 7-4A champions and enter the playoffs as the No. 1 seed. But North Side will be hungry to get back in the mix to win the region title themselves.

Odom’s Pick: South Gibson 28, North Side 24

Vic’s Pick: South Gibson 31, North Side 20

Peabody (8-0, 4-0 7-2A) at Huntingdon (7-1, 3-1)

The Golden Tide end the season with back-to-back games in tough stadiums. They will first go to Paul Ward Stadium to play the Mustangs, whose only slip up was against Milan.

Odom’s Pick: Peabody 21, Huntingdon 17

Vic’s Pick: Huntingdon 28, Peabody 24

Gleason (3-5, 2-2 7-1A) at Humboldt (3-5, 2-3)

The Vikings threw for 2250 yards last week and seem to have the offense figured out. But Gleason had a strong offensive game in Week 8 before having last week off.

Odom’s Pick: Humboldt 38, Gleason 35

Vic’s Pick: Gleason 40, Humboldt 32

Halls (2-6, 0-4 7-2A) at Gibson County (0-8, 0-5)

Both of these teams look to be missing out on the Class 2A playoffs. But both teams would love to go into the offseason with some momentum.

Odom’s Pick: Halls 32, Gibson County 16

Vic’s Pick: Halls 35, Gibson County 6

Liberty (4-4) at West Carroll (1-7)

The Crusaders have lost four-straight games since opening the year 4-0. The War Eagles have lost seven-straight games. West Carroll will want to establish a running game to win this one.

Odom’s Pick: West Carroll 24, Liberty 20

Vic’s Pick: West Carroll 28, Liberty 6

Best of the West

Westview (7-0, 4-0 7-3A) at Dyersburg (5-3, 3-1)

Odom’s Pick: Westview

Vic’s Pick: Westview

South Fulton (7-1, 3-1 7-1A) at Dresden (6-2, 4-0)

Odom’s Pick: Dresden

Vic’s Pick: South Fulton

Lake County (5-3, 2-2 7-1A) at Greenfield (4-4, 2-2)

Odom’s Pick: Greenfield

Vic’s Pick: Lake County

Ridgeway (1-7, 1-4) at Haywood (6-2, 4-0 8-4A)

Odom’s Pick: Haywood

Vic’s Pick: Haywood

Kirby (5-3, 4-0 8-4A) at Fayette-Ware (4-4, 1-3)

Odom’s Pick: Kirby

Vic’s Pick: Kirby

Fayette Academy (1-7 0-4 D2-A) at Harding Academy (3-5, 1-4)

Odom’s Pick: Fayette Academy

Vic’s Pick: Fayette Academy

DCA (5-3) at TCA (6-2)

Odom’s Pick: TCA

Vic’s Pick: TCA

Union City (3-5, 2-2 7-2A) at JCM (2-5, 1-3)

Odom’s Pick: Union City

Vic’s Pick: Union City

South Side (5-3, 3-2 7-4A) at Dyer County (6-2, 3-2)

Odom’s Pick: Dyer County

Vic’s Pick: South Side

Chester County (2-6, 1-4) at Crockett County (6-2, 3-2)

Odom’s Pick: Crockett County

Vic’s Pick: Crockett County

Michael Odom is the sports editor for the Mirror-Exchange, Weakley County Press, Brownsville States-Graphic and Fayette Falcon. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @GCSportsWriter. Reach him by email at michaelodom@milanmirrorexchange.com.